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punjab-government-extends-winter-school-holidays-until-lohri
IndiaJan 07, 2026

Punjab government extends winter school holidays until Lohri

The Punjab government has once again extended winter holidays for schools across the state, citing intense cold weather and persistent fog conditions. Under the revised order, all government and private schools in Punjab will now remain closed until January 13 and reopen on January 14, following the Lohri festival. Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains said the decision was taken in response to the ongoing cold wave, which has led to a sharp drop in temperatures and reduced visibility in many districts. He said student safety remains the government’s top priority during the peak winter perio
calgary-woman-charged-after-traffic-pylon-thrown-from-downtown-balcony
AlbertaJan 07, 2026

Calgary woman charged after traffic pylon thrown from downtown balcony

Calgary police have charged a woman after a video circulated on social media showing a traffic pylon being tossed from a highrise balcony in the city’s downtown. Investigators said they began looking into the incident after receiving complaints about the video on Monday afternoon. The footage was determined to have been recorded the previous Saturday at an apartment building on the 1100 block of Third Street Southeast. The pylon was reportedly dropped from the 14th floor. Officers located a nearly six-kilogram traffic pylon on the sidewalk outside the building. Police said their investigatio
CanadaJan 07, 2026

Canada to open new consulate in Greenland amid U.S. security claims

The federal government has announced plans to open a new Canadian consulate in Greenland, a move that comes as U.S. President Donald Trump has again raised the possibility of taking control of the Arctic territory. Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand is expected to travel to Greenland in the coming weeks, with the visit anticipated in early February, according to Prime Minister Mark Carney. During the trip, Anand will formally inaugurate Canada’s new consulate in Nuuk, the capital of Greenland. Governor General Mary Simon is also expected to join the delegation. The announcement follows rec
AlbertaJan 07, 2026

Calgary council to review independent report on Bearspaw watermain failures

Calgary city councillors are set to receive and discuss a long-awaited independent report examining repeated failures of a major watermain that supplies drinking water to much of the city. The report focuses on the Bearspaw South Feeder Main, a critical piece of infrastructure that delivers treated water to roughly 60 per cent of Calgary residents. The line first ruptured in the summer of 2024, triggering weeks of mandatory water restrictions across the city. Concerns intensified again late last month when the same watermain ruptured for a second time on Dec. 30, forcing the city to reintroduc
carney-to-visit-china-next-week-as-canada-seeks-to-reset-strained-trade-ties
CanadaJan 07, 2026

Carney to visit China next week as Canada seeks to reset strained trade ties

Prime Minister Mark Carney is set to travel to China next week, marking the first visit by a Canadian prime minister in eight years as Ottawa looks to manage a strained and complex bilateral relationship. The Prime Minister’s Office says Carney will depart on Jan. 13 and return on Jan. 17, with meetings expected to focus on trade, energy, agriculture and international security. Officials have not yet confirmed whether Carney will hold a formal face-to-face meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping during the trip. Canada–China relations have been tense in recent years, particularly followi
michael-reagan-conservative-commentator-and-son-of-former-u-s-president-dies-at-80
WorldJan 07, 2026

Michael Reagan, conservative commentator and son of former U.S. president, dies at 80

Michael Reagan, the eldest son of former U.S. president Ronald Reagan and a long-time conservative media figure, has died at the age of 80, according to an announcement from the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute. In a statement shared Tuesday on social media, the foundation described Reagan as a dedicated defender of his father’s political philosophy and legacy, noting his continued involvement in public discussions around conservative values and leadership long after Ronald Reagan left office. Michael Reagan was a familiar voice in American conservative media, serving as a
internal-dissent-erupts-within-bku-sidhupur-as-leaders-challenge-jagjit-singh-dallewal
IndiaJan 06, 2026

Internal dissent erupts within BKU Sidhupur as leaders challenge Jagjit Singh Dallewal

A rift has surfaced within Punjab’s farmers’ union Bharatiya Kisan Union Sidhupur, with several senior leaders and district presidents openly rebelling against union president Jagjit Singh Dallewal. The dissenting leaders have levelled serious allegations related to financial transparency and internal governance of the organisation. According to the rebel group, funds collected by the union during various protests and organisational activities were never properly accounted for. They claim that despite repeated requests, the leadership failed to provide clear financial statements or explana
nova-scotia-grade-8-student-dies-after-dog-attack-in-shelburne-county
CanadaJan 06, 2026

Nova Scotia Grade 8 student dies after dog attack in Shelburne County

A Grade 8 student from Shelburne County has died after being attacked by three dogs over the weekend, Nova Scotia school officials confirmed Monday. The Tri-County Regional Centre for Education said the student attended Shelburne Regional High School and that the death is being deeply felt across the school community. Counsellors, psychologists, and additional mental health supports have been made available to students and staff as they cope with the loss. RCMP previously said the youth was attacked Saturday by three large-breed dogs while riding a bicycle along Upper Sandy Cove Road in Welsht
desjardins-data-breach-suspect-arrested-in-spain-extradition-proceedings-underway
CanadaJan 06, 2026

Desjardins data breach suspect arrested in Spain, extradition proceedings underway

Quebec provincial police say a key suspect linked to the massive Desjardins data breach affecting millions of members has been arrested in Spain following an international police operation. Authorities allege Juan Pablo Serrano, 40, was involved in the theft and resale of personal information belonging to approximately 9.7 million Desjardins members. Investigators say the data was originally obtained from a former employee of the Quebec-based financial institution and later used in a range of fraud schemes. Serrano, a Canadian citizen of Ecuadorian descent, had been sought by police since June

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supreme-court-grants-bail-to-bikram-majithia-in-disproportionate-assets-case
IndiaFeb 02, 2026

Supreme Court grants bail to Bikram Majithia in disproportionate assets case

The Supreme Court of India has granted bail to Shiromani Akali Dal leader Bikram Singh Majithia in a case related to alleged disproportionate assets, bringing temporary relief to the senior Punjab politician after months in custody. The court issued the order on Monday after hearing arguments from both sides, noting that bail was being granted based on the circumstances of the case. Majithia is expected to be released from Nabha jail on February 3, following completion of formal procedures. While allowing the bail, the apex court took into account that Majithia had already been granted bail in
surrey-man-charged-after-newton-area-shooting
CanadaJan 30, 2026

Surrey Man Charged After Newton-Area Shooting

Police have laid multiple criminal charges following a shooting at a Surrey home on New Year’s Day. Officers from the Surrey Police Service (SPS) responded around 11:45 p.m. on January 1, 2026, to reports of gunfire in the area of 140B Street and 59 Avenue in Newton. At the scene, they found an injured man who was taken to hospital with a gunshot wound. Officials said his condition was stable. A second man was arrested at the location. The SPS Serious Crime Unit took over the investigation. On January 28, the BC Prosecution Service approved charges against 49-year-old Chanchal Badwal. He fac
b-c-based-jim-pattison-developments-cancels-virginia-warehouse-sale-to-ice
BCJan 30, 2026

B.C.-based Jim Pattison Developments cancels Virginia warehouse sale to ICE

Vancouver-based Jim Pattison Developments has announced it will not proceed with the sale of a Virginia warehouse property to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, which had planned to use the site as an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) processing facility. The 43.5-acre property in Hanover County, Virginia, faced public scrutiny after news emerged that it could be converted into a holding and processing centre amid a wider U.S. immigration crackdown. The company, owned by Canadian billionaire Jim Pattison, had previously stated it was unaware of the final purchaser or the intende
israel-to-reopen-gaza-egypt-border-crossing-after-nearly-two-years-of-closure
WorldJan 30, 2026

Israel to reopen Gaza–Egypt border crossing after nearly two years of closure

Israel says it will reopen Gaza’s Rafah border crossing with Egypt on Sunday, allowing limited movement of people in and out of the territory for the first time in nearly two years. The Israeli military agency COGAT, which oversees civilian coordination with Gaza, said the reopening will permit “limited movement of people only,” with both Israel and Egypt screening those seeking to cross. European Union border assistance personnel will supervise operations at the crossing, Gaza’s primary link to the outside world. The Rafah crossing has been largely closed since May 2024, following ren
federal-court-of-appeal-set-to-rule-on-ottawas-single-use-plastics-ban
CanadaJan 30, 2026

Federal Court of Appeal upholds Ottawa’s authority to maintain single-use plastic b

Canada’s Federal Court of Appeal has ruled that the federal government acted within its authority when it classified certain plastic products as toxic, clearing the way for Ottawa to maintain its ban on several single-use plastic items. In a unanimous decision released Friday, a three-judge panel overturned a 2023 lower court ruling that had found the federal government overreached by broadly labeling plastic manufactured items as toxic under environmental legislation. That earlier decision had cast uncertainty over the future of the single-use plastics ban. The appeal court concluded the go